Spartans hold off late Riverdale charge

Receiving double digits scoring from five different players, Prairie View held on for a 64-58 MAIS District 3-2A victory over first-place Riverdale on Monday night at Spartan Gym.

Prairie View carried a 40-30 lead into the fourth quarter in Friday night's 50-46 loss to the Rebels at Coushatta.

In Monday night's game, the Spartans saw a 10-point fourth quarter lead evaporate once again.

Trailing 48-38 after three, Riverdale opened the fourth quarter with an 8-0 run and eventually tied the game at 54.

“Riverdale doesn't have a starter over six feet (tall), but they can shoot it out of this world,” Prairie View coach Joseph “Boo” Waller. “They hit two 3s and a layup within a minute to start the fourth quarter.”

Prairie View (13-10, 3-2) outscored the Rebels 10-4 down the stretch.

Tyler Jones turned the final 30 seconds into his personal showcase. Riverdale launched a 3 from the corner off of an inbounds pass, but Jones spiked the ball into the bleachers. Jones then deflected the ensuing inbounds pass, chased the ball down near midcourt and slammed it home for a buzzer-beating dunk.

Riverdale, which dropped to 4-1 in district, received 17 points from Tanner Lee, 16 from Ty Hester, 11 from Jacob Hayes, 10 from Hogan Nealy and four from Jay Hayes.

Notes: Originally scheduled for Jan. 15, the game was rescheduled for Monday due to an ice storm. … The Spartans are back in action Tuesday night, traveling to Raymond, Miss. to take on Central Hinds. Prairie View and Central Hinds split their previous two meetings, with both teams winning at home.